Cate Hlavac is replacing Amanda Gilbertson as the Waikato Innovation Park/Callaghan Innovation business support advisor for the Bay of Plenty.

The innovation park represents the Crown entity in the Waikato Bay of Plenty. The two organisations have collectively distributed about $20m in funding to Waikato and Bay of Plenty businesses annually.

Cate Hlavac. Photo: Supplied

Cate brings extensive experience to the role, having worked in global business development for nearly 20 years; the last 13 of which have been with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise in both Canterbury and more recently in Bay of Plenty.

'Having worked for NZTE for many years now, I have a good understanding of what it takes to create successful businesses and achieve internationalisation,” says Cate.

'My business networks are strong in the Bay of Plenty. I know local businesses have the capacity to develop world class products and services, and I'm excited to get started on working with them to help validate their ideas and support a culture of innovation.”

Callaghan Innovation is a team of about 400 researchers, scientists, engineers, technologists, business people investment managers and account managers, working across the country.

Callaghan Innovation is a stand-alone Crown Entity established on 1 February, 2013. The role hasn't previously existed in New Zealand.

Callaghan Innovation connects businesses with research organisations across the innovation system: offering expertise and facilities; operating its own research and technology laboratories and specialist equipment; and managing more than $140 million a year in government funding and grants to support business innovation and capability building.

Waikato Innovation Park delivers the Regional Business Partner Programme which offers funding through New Zealand Trade and Enterprise and Callaghan Innovation to innovative and export-focused businesses that want to grow.

Waikato Innovation Park Business growth team leader Peter Maxwell says Cate will be working hard to develop new business partnerships in the area.

'We are delighted to have someone of Cate's experience and connections within the Bay of Plenty business community join the team,” says Peter.

'A big part of Cate's role will be helping businesses with research and development to enable them to meet market opportunities by creating connections and linkages, making referrals to NZTE and in some instances helping them obtain funding.”

Cate has a Bachelor of Science, majoring in Microbiology from Canterbury University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Library and Information Systems from Victoria University and is particularly interested in the role customer insight plays in innovation.

Amanda Gilbertson has taken a job with a new business incubator, says Peter.